Song lyrics
Glory Touching Earth: A Christmas Worship Musical for Multi-Generational Choirs
Arranged and orchestrated by Cliff Duren
©2020 Word Music & Church Resources (WMCR, LLC). All Rights Reserved.
Narrator: Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord shines over you. God, our Father, bent the heavens and has come down to dwell with us. His name is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. He is Emmanuel, the One for whom the whole world has waited.
Come, Long-Expected Jesus (Words and Music by Tony Wood and Cliff Duren)
Come, long-expected Jesus, Your people to deliver, for we have waited long for You. Come, long-expected Jesus, we’re holding to a promise. We know your ev’ry word is true. One day we’ll sing… Hallelujah! God is with us! Hallelujah! All is well! God so gracious! King so mighty! Hallelujah! Emmanuel! Come, long-expected Jesus, we turn our eyes to Heaven. We look up for a holy sign. Come, long-expected Jesus, we hold the hope within us. We’ll see You in Your perfect time. And then we’ll sing! Halleluja! God is with us! Halleluja! All is well! God so gracious! King so mighty! Hallelujah! Emmanuel has come to seek us, come to save us, come to random and redeem! Love that loved us from forever come to set the captives free. Born Thy people to deliver. Born a child and yet a King. Born to reign in us forever. Now Thy gracious Kingdom bring. Hallelujah! God is with us! Hallelujah! All is well! God so gracious! King so mighty! Hallelujah! Emmanuel! Hallelujah! Emmanuel! Hallelujah! Emmanuel!
Emmanuel (Words and Music by Chris Rademaker, Jason Ingram, Jodi Rademaker, and Seth Mosley)
Solo: For ev’ryone, Hope has come, the Savior of the world. To light the dark and heal our hearts, the Savior of the world. He is the Savior of the world. With Choir: Emmanuel! Emmanuel! Our God has come close! The world needs to know this good news we have to tell. Emmanuel. Emmanuel. Solo: For unto us is born the One whose love will set us free. And we will sing unto our King. With Choir: His love has set us free. It’s His love that sets us free! Emmanuel! Emmanuel! Our God has come close! The world needs to know this good news we have to tell. Solo: Emmanuel. Emmanuel. Emmanuel. With Choir: Ring the bells, ring the bells, Emmanuel! Our God has come close! The world needs to know this good news we have to tell. Ring the bells, ring the bells, Emmanuel!
Narrator: Ring the bells, Emmanuel has come! Generations have been celebrating the birth of Jesus and wonshipping Him through the music of bells. But long before His birth, in the days of Moses, when God first invited humanity into relationship with Him, He showed them the way of worship through the tabernacle. He installed High Priests who would serve Him on behalf of the people and would make provision for their sin. And, sewn into the hem of the High Priests’ garments, were bells. Each movement, as the priest worshipped God, created a gentle song for the people to hear. Every act of service before the Lord lingered with the melody of the bells. It was the sound of their redemption, the song of their forgiveness. This same song echoes from the cross where Jesus offered Himself willingly on our behalf, and it rings through the empty tomb, forever singing a message of life and forgiveness to all who will come to Jesus. And now, we who have given our lives to Jesus, are invited to be living bells, our lives an orchestration of His grace. And with every act of our worship, our service, our love for God and for others — we too ring out the sound of redemption, the song of forgiveness.
Glory Touching Earth (Words and Music by Tony Wood, Justin Morgan, and Rachel Barrentine)
Child Solo: Shouldn’t the King of hope be on a royal throne, not in a hidden, humble place? Shouldn’t the whole world come bow to the Perfect One, longing to just behold His face? A miracle, appearing as ordinary. A mystery, a wonder so extraordinary. Children’s Choir: This is the reason the angels are singing. Mercy has spoken. Our prayers are heard. This is the moment the silence is broken. This is a holy, holy birth. (Ooo) This is Glory, heaven’s Glory touching earth. Adult Choir: Leaving His home on high, stepping from purest light into a world unsafe and dark, knowing our deepest need, loving enough to reach and show us that grace would come so far. Children’s Choir: A miracle, appearing as ordinary. A mystery, a wonder so extraordinary. All Choirs: This is the reason the angels are singing. Mercy has spoken. Our prayers are heard. This is the moment the silence is broken. This is a holy, holy birth. This is Glory, heaven’s Glory touching earth. Hallelujah! He is our promise and our peace, our peace. He comes to ransom and redeem, redeem. Child Solo: This is the reason the angels are singing. Mercy has spoken. Our prayers are heard. This is the moment the silence is broken. This is a holy, holy birth. All Choirs: This is the reason the angels are singing. Mercy has spoken. Our prayers are heard. This is the moment the silence is broken. This is a holy, holy birth. This is Glory, heaven’s Glory touching earth. This is Glory touching earth! Child Solo: Touching earth.
What Can I Give? (Words and Music by Christy Semsen, from the musical “Straight Outta Bethlehem”)
Child Solo: Tiny baby looking up at me, tears from heaven, on His cheeks I see. Is this the One who made the angels sing? Just what do you offer a baby King? Children’s Choir: Infant Savior, lying helplessly, wrapped in beauty and humility. If this is the One we’ve been waiting for, He’s worthy of riches and so much more. What can I give? What can I bring to the One we’ve expected — Messiah, the King? What can I give? What can I bring to the King of the world who has ev’rything? You sang with the stars, painted the moon. You spoke to the sky and the flowers in bloom. Beyond all we know or all we can see, You are Holy; You are my God. So what can I give? What can I give? Moo moo… Baa baa… Meow meow… (Adult Choir, in background: Moo moo… Baa baa… Meow meow…) Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head. The stars in the sky looked down where He lay, the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay. Child Solo: What can I give? What can I bring? I have nothing to give you, Messiah, my King unless I give you me.
Narrator: Why do we sing? Or better yet, why are we silent? “The hardship of this broken world can silence us… The grief we carry can empty us of our song… And the pain we bear can close up our throats… But this is where our Savior meets us…” Draw near and see Him, poor and simple. Let His voice comfort you with His presence. Let His nail-scarred hands wipe your tears. If your song is broken, listen closely and you will hear Him singing over you, “You are My beloved, and I am yours.” This is the song of Christmas, this is why we sing: Jesus is worthy of our praise. And no matter what we may face in this world, we are never, ever alone, and we are always, always, always loved.
Sing We All Noel (Words and Music by Jeff Bumgardner and Cliff Duren)
Sing we now of Christmas. Noel sing we here. Hear our grateful praises to the Babe so dear. Sing we Noel. The King is born, Noel. Sing we now of Christmas. Sing we all Noel. Sing of God here with us. Oh, great tidings tell. Mary holds the Savior, our Emmanuel. Sing we Noel. The King is born, Noel. Sing of God here with us. Sing we all Noel. Sing of our salvation through God’s holy Son. Love’s redeeming Glory, peace on earth has come. Sing we Noel. The King is born, Noel. Sing of our salvation. Sing we all Noel, Noel! Noel! Noel! Born is the King of Israel! Sing to tell the story, grateful souls resound. Heaven’s holy Treasure, Grace of God come down. Sing we Noel. The King is born, Noel. Sing to tell the story. Sing we all Noel. Sing we now of Christmas, Sing we all Noel. Sing we all Noel.
Narrator: My soul praises the greatness of the Lord, and my Spirit rejoices in God my Savior… the Mighty One has done great things for me. (Luke 1:46, 49 CSB)
Here Comes Heaven (Words and Music by Aaron Robertson, Chris Brown, and Steven Furtick)
Solo 1: Children, weep no more. Hope is on the horizon. Weary world, behold Your promised Messiah. With Choir: Angels, let your song begin. Here comes Heaven. Christ is born in Bethlehem. Here comes Heaven. Sinner, wait no more. Love has broken the silence. Come, let us adore. The Savior is with us. Angels let your song begin. Here comes Heaven. Christ is born in Bethlehem. Here comes Heaven. Here comes Heaven. Now behold His glory! Glory in the highest! All the earth rejoice for Christ is born! Now behold his glory! Glory in the highest! All the earth, rejoice for Christ is born! Solo 2: Over all who mourn, breaks the dawn of savation. With Choir: Darkenss reigns no more for Jesus is greater. He is greater! Angels, let your song begin. Here comes Heaven. Christ is born in Bethlehem. Here comes Heaven. Angels, let your song begin. Here comes heaven. All creation, worship Him! Here comes Heaven. Here comes Heaven. Here comes Heaven!
Christmas Proclamation (Words and Music by Cliff Duren)
Wonderful! Glory! Hallelujah! Counselor! Glory! Hallelujah! Might God! Glory! Halleluja! Prince of Peace! Glory! Hallelujah! The Everlasting Father, King on the throne forever!
Narrator: Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness. (Psalm 29:1-2 ESV)
Worthy (A Christmas Worship Medley) (O Come, All Ye Faithful: Latin hymn, John Francis Wade; Build My Life: Pat Barrett, Karl Martin, Kirby Kaple, Matt Redman, Brett Younker; Worthy: Chris Brown, Mack Brock, Steven Furtick)
Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning. Jesus, to Thee be all glory giv’n. Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing. O come, let us adore Him. O come, let us adore Him. O come, let us adore Him; Christ the Lord. For He alone is worthy. For He alone is worthy. For He alone is worthy, Christ, the Lord. Narrator: Sing praises to the Lord, O you His saints, and give thanks to His holy name. (Psalm 30:4 ESV) Choir: Worthy of ev’ry song we could ever sing. Worthy of all the praise we could ever bring. Worthy of ev’ry breath we could ever breathe. We live for You. Jesus, the Name above ev’ry other name. Jesus, the only One who could ever save. Worthy of ev’ry breath we could ever breathe, we live for You. We live for You. Holy, there is no one like You. There is none beside You. Open up my eyes in wonder and show me who You are and fill me with Your heart and lead me in Your love to those around me. Holy, there is no one like You. There is none beside You. Open up my eyes in wonder and show me who You are and fill me with Your heart and lead me in Your love to those around me. Narrator: I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. (Psalm 34:1-2 ESV) Choir: Worthy is Your name, Jesus, You deserve the praise. Worthy is Your name. Worthy is Your name, Jesus. You deserve the praise… Narrator: I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom. (Psalm 145:1, 3 NIV) Choir: Worthy is Your name, Jesus, You deserve the praise. Worthy is Your name. Worthy is Your name, Jesus. You deserve the praise… For You alone are worthy, Christ, the Lord.
Narrator: This is what is written: The Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day. Repentance and forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations. Jesus came from heaven not to do His own will, but the will of His Father who sent Him. And this is the will of the Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life.
From God to Us (Words and Music by Cliff Duren and Phil Mehrens)
Solo: The first light of Christmas wasn’t a tree gleam or a candle beam. It was a starlight stream. The first Gift of Christmas wasn’t from wise men or a human hand. It was the Son of Man sent from God to us. With Choir: He was a holy Child. Glory to God! Glory to God! His name is Jesus Christ. He was sent from God to us. Solo: The first song of Christmas wasn’t a sleigh ride or a silent night. It came from angels on high sent from God to us! With Choir: He was a holy Child. Glory to God! Glory to God! His name was Jesus Christ. He was sent from God to us. He was a holy Child. Glory to God! Glory to God! His name is Jesus Christ. He was sent from God to us. Solo: The first tears of Christmas came to a mother’s eye as her Baby cried. He was the Word of Life, sent from God to us.
He Reigns Forevermore (Words and Music by Jeff Bumgardner and Cliff Duren)
Solo: See the skies alive with praise. Choir: King Jesus forever. Solo: He has come and will be great. Choir: King Jesus forever. Solo: Come adore on bended knee. Choir: King Jesus forever. Solo: All of heav’n and nature sing. Choir: King Jesus forever. Hallelujah, He reigns forever more! Hallelujah, He reigns forever more! Hallelujah, He reigns forever more! Jesus the Lord reigns forevermore! Solo: See the star of heaven shine. Choir: King Jesus forever. Solo: On the Son of the Most High. Choir: King Jesus forever. Solo: Heaven’s Child has come to man. Choir: King Jesus forever. Solo: And His kingdom will not end. Choir: King Jesus forever. Hallelujah, He reigns forevermore! Hallelujah, He reigns forever more! Hallelujah, He reigns forever more! Jesus the Lord, reigns forevermore! Oh, come and worship, come bow before the One who reigns forevermore! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah forevermore! King of kings and Lord of lords. He shall reign forevermore! Oh, come and worship! Come bow before the One who reigns forevermore! Hallelujah, He reigns forevermore…
Narrator: The sun will no longer be your light by day, and the brightness of the moon will not shine on you. The Lord will be your everlasting light, and the days of your sorrow will be over (Isaiah 60:19a, 20b CSB) You, Lord, will guard us; you will protect us from this generation forever. (Psalm 12:7 CSB) You are the Light of the world, the Light of our hearts, the Light forevermorel
Light of the World (Words and Music by Lauren Daigle, Paul Duncan, and Paul Mabury)
Solo: The world waits for a miracle. The heart longs for a little bit of hope. O come, O come Emmanuel. A child prays for peace on earth, and she’s callin’ out from a sea of hurt. O come, O come, Emmanuel. And can you hear the angels singing? Choir: Glo – – ry to the Light of the world. Glo – – ry the Light of the world, is here. Solo: The drought breaks with the tears of a mother. A Baby’s cry is the sound of love come down. Come down, Emmanuel. Oh, He is the song for the suffering! He is Messiah. The Prince of Peace has come! He has come, Emmanuel. Oh! Choir: Glo – – ry to the Light of the world. Glo – – ry to the Light of the world. Glo – – ry to the Light of the world. Glo – – ry to the Light of the world. For all who wait, for all who hunger, for all who’ve prayed, for all who wander, behold your King. Behold Messiah! Emmanuel! Emmanuel! Glo – – ry to the Light of the world… Behold your King. Behold Messiah! Emmanuel!
You Say (Words and Music by Paul Mabury, Jason Ingram, Michael Donehey, Bebo Norman, and Lauren Daigle)
I keep fighting voices in my mind that say I’m not enough. Ev’ry single lie that tells me I will never measure up. (Ooo) Am I more than just the sum of ev’ry high and ev’ry low? Remind me once again just who I am because I need to know. (Oh) You say I am loved when I can’t feel a thing. You say I am strong when I think I am weak. And You say I am held which I am falling short. And when I don’t belong, O You say I am Yours. And I believe, O I believe what You say of me. I believe. The only thing that matters now is ev’rything You think of me; In You I find my worth, in You I find my identity. You say I am loved when I can’t feel a thing. You say I am strong when I think I am weak. And You say I am held when I am falling short. And when I don’t belong, O You say I am Yours. And I believe, O I believe what You say of me. I believe. Taking all I have, and now I’m laying it at Your feet; You’ll have ev’ry failure, God, You’ll have ev’ry victory. O Lord, You say I am loved when I can’t feel a thing. You say I am strong when I think I am weak. And You say I am held when I am falling short. And when I don’t belong, O You say I am Yours. And I believe, O I believe what You say of me. I believe. Ooo, I believe.